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ORATION 



DELIVERED AT THE REQUEST OF TKli 



WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY, 



IN NEWBURYPORT 



FEB. 22, 1832 



AT THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 



BIRTH-DAY OF WASHINGTON 



BY THOMAS B. FOX 



' 1875. :, 



NEWBURYPORT : 

3t)ubUsl)etr i)» ST. 35. Sf IB. %, f©|)!tc 




1832. 






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Neiobtiryport, 23d Fe6. 1832. 
Rev. THOMAS B. FOX. 
Dear Sir,— 

The Committee of Arrangements for the Centennial Celebration of the 
Birth-day of Washington, have unanimously voted to tliank you for the 
excellent Oration delivered by you on that occasion. Having been highly 
gratified themselves in hearing it, and wishing to give those who did not 
hear it, au opportunity of reading the truly patriotic, moral and religious 
sentiments of which it is composed ; they respectfully request you to give them 
manuscript, with a view to its immediate publication. 

JVith respect and esteem, 
we are, dear Sir, 

Yr. Friends and Obt. Servts. 

ABRAHAM PERKINS, 

PHILIP JOHNSON, 

JOHN PORTER, 1 Committee 

SAMUEL TITCOMB, | committee 

CHARLES J. BROCKWAV. > of 

JOHN OSGOOD, I ,„„.„^„„^„.,, 

JOHN H. WOOD, ARRANGEMENT! 

CHARLES JOHNSON, ! 

JOEL SCOTT, J 



To the Committee of Arrangements for the 
Centennial Celebration of the 
Birth-daij of Washington. 

Gentlemen, — 

Agreeably to your kind request I send you a copy of the Oration yester- 
day pronounceu by me. 1 thank you for your commendation of my perform- 
ance, and beg to assure you of my best wishes for your present and future 
happiness. 

Yr. Obt. ScTEt. 

THOS. B. FOX. 
Nmburyport, Feb. 2id, lti32. 



Printed by E. W. Allen & Co. 



ORATION. 



IT is well to celebrate the birth of good and illustri- 
ous men. True greatness should ever be made immor- 
tal, by the grateful remembrance of succeeding genera- 
tions. Thus the glory of the fathers becomes a lofty 
motive of action to the sons, and another security is giv- 
en for the perpetuity of virtue. The festal day may be 
made almost a holy day ; for to dwell upon examples 
of worth and integrity must be as beneficial as it is pleas- 
ant ; and earth seldom beholds a scene more glorious 
than the congregation of thousands of the free and intel- 
ligent, to cherish in their hearts, and honor with their lips, 
those, who, loving mankind with mind and heart and 
strength, devoted themselves to the. promotion of their 
Iiighest welfare. Such a scene earth beholds this day. 
Many are met throughout our land to dwell together as fel- 
low-countrymen, on the excellencies of that great man, 
who drew his first breath of life one hundred years ago. 
This, then, is a season of soul-moving interest to every 
thoughtful man. The mind spans, almost at once, a cen- 
tury crowded with events, momentous and great, yet, 
familiar as the story of the passing hour ; it marks the 
laying on of the rod of oppression ; it observes weakness, 
with the supernatural strength of righteous indignation, 



4 

break tlial rod and crumble it to the dust ; it beholds 
a nation born in the midst of war and distress, rocked 
in the tumult of a revolution, nurtured by stern and 
giant-minded men, and raised to a vigorous and power- 
ful youth ; it sees a whole people, pushing aside hoary 
tradition, time-hallowed prescriptions, and going at once, 
in spite of the frowns of kings, the ridicule of nobles, the 
fears of abject slaves, to those foundation principles upon 
which all governments ought to rest, declaring ' that all 
men are born free and equal,' and vindicating the truth 
of this declaration by fifty years of almost uninterrupted 
peace, of growing wealth and intelligence. This is the 
sublime vision which this hour presents ; so sublime, 
that, were it not for the audible voice of those, who lived 
rjiiidst, and helped to achieve, these great things, we 
might ahnost deem it the magnificent dream of an angel. 
Our country rises before us, a beautiful and massive fa- 
bric ; stupendous in its proportions ; complete in all its 
parts ; built as it were in an hour. Yet the framers of 
this dwelling-place for the rights of man, were, under 
God, men hke ourselves. They were strengthened for 
(he work, by the heavy burthens of tyranny ; animated 
to its commencement by a love of freedom stronger than 
{.leath, and sustained to its completion by that courage, 
which belongs to a pure mind and a righteous cause.-^ 
Among the first of these great workmen, these Cyclo- 
pLcan architects, who cleared the ground for the corner- 
stone of the edifice, and helped to lay it deep, solid, and 
immoval)lc, was George Washington. 

T sliall not, on this occasion, give a sketch of the life, 
nor an extended delineatiofti of the character ol" Washing- 



TON. I rejoice to believe this work would be needless, 
were I able to perform it. The deeds and the virtues of 
the Patriot, are, I trust, as well known, as dearly honor- 
ed, by you all, as the countenance of a friend. His career 
is too closely united to the history of our nation, to be 
left unread ; and the qualities of his heart and mind are 
too much needed, as examples by freemen, to be soon 
forgotten. He will be reverenced for ages, as one of the 
first and finest specimens of that noble character, a true 
republican. But though I thus shrink from any endea- 
vor to portray fully the character of Washington, I 
cannot properly omit the topic altogether. 

The value of the striking deeds and uncommon lives of 
great men consists, not so much in the admiration they ex- 
cite, as in the illustrations they afford of the strength of in- 
tellectual and moral power. Exhibitions of greatness, be- 
yond their temporary effect in accomplishing the purposes 
for which they are made, are to be dwelt upon and studi- 
ed, as indicating the nature and worth of principles. To 
describe, then, the career of Washington, to tell of 
his worth and power, as shown forth in his conduct, as 
a general, a statesman and a citizen, might awaken the 
listening ear and swell the bosom with emotion. But 
tliis would be a transitory effect. The character, the 
springs of action, the animating motive, the governing 
maxims, the sources of that spiritual powder, manifested 
by this illustrious man, are what we would know: and 
we would know these, that we may imitate them — that 
(hey may serve as models whereon to mould true great- 
ness. 

Tlic same field of action, lie trod, may never aga'i) 



be presented : yet so long as man is man, there will be 
a ceaseless call for such mental power and moral princi- 
ple, as he exhibited. A character, which stood the tri- 
als of the world so well, which rose so much above 
mortal weakness, which set forth so constantly the dig- 
nity and divinity of human nature, we ever need, as a 
pattern and guide. It has been proved and is known to 
be, what is safe and what is needed. We dwell not, 
then, upon the external actions of Washington ; but 
pass beyond them, use them only as so many lights to 
guide us into the inner sanctuary of the soul; thus shall 
we best understand, appreciate and learn how to follow 
this wonderful man. It is not the hand that executes, 
but the mind that conceives ; not the outward and visi- 
ble machinery, but the designing, creative power within, 
which deserves attention. But, besides looking beyond 
outward conduct, in order rightly and usefully to appre- 
ciate the character of Washington, we must dispel the 
illusions of the imagination. A grateful nation, unmeasur- 
ed eulogy, the deep affection of generous and wise-heart- 
ed freemen every where, have so surrounded him with 
glory, that, when we endeavor to bend our minds to an 
analysis of his nature, we gaze, at first, upon ' bright con- 
fusion.' We see a patriot, a soldier, a hero, an honored son 
of liberty, crowned with laurel and arrayed m the shining 
garments, with which fond imagination decks the mighty; 
but we do not see the man. His greatness, hallowed by 
his countrymen, is indefinite. We must wait for the first 
glow of admiration to subside, and then examine, with a 
calm and settled mind, his well-disciplined and exalted 
>;pirit, if we would render unto him rational homage. 



Looldng thus, with an imdazzled eye, upon Wash- 
ington, we see at once, he was not a !)rilliant geniuS; 
but a self-governed man ; all whose powers and fac- 
ulties and passions were marshalled in proper order, and 
were beneath the vigilant sway of an enlightened and pu- 
rified will. There is no one point, gleaming with in- 
tense brightness ; but it is the steady light of his whole 
life, which constitutes his real superiority. His single 
acts are not astounding. There was in him no flashing 
out of great energies and magnificent talents, on certain 
great occasions ; spending their force in single efforts, 
and then becoming powerless, till the trumpet call of ne- 
cessity summoned them forth again ; but he was wonder- 
ful for a sustained and ceaseless strength, an unfalter- 
ing resolution, which was evidenced in his continued 
progress. To describe most great men, we enumerate 
certain splendid deeds; to convey an idea of Washing- 
ton, we must speak of the whole man at once : For tlie 
same powers of mind were exerted at Braddock's de- 
feat, during the war of the revolution, in the presiden- 
tial chair and as a private citizen. The same caution 
in forming opinions, and firmness in adhering to them ; 
the same reverence for justice and benevolent humanity ; 
the same power over circumstances and freedom from 
despondency ; the same sound judgment and untu*ed en- 
ergy, are seen throughout his whole career. In some 
instances, the scenery and drapery of the stage is more 
sublime, but the great actor is always the same. Look at 
him, amid the awful grandeur of the crossing of the Del- 
aware ; look at him, when reasoning down the excited 
feelings of the ill-treated and deceived officers of his ar- 



8 

my ; look at him, when signing the proclamation of 
neutrality in the midst of a half frantic nation ; look at 
him, as he delivered his farewell address and retired to 
the peacefulness of Mount- Vernon ; look at him every 
where, under all circumstances, joyous or gloomy, in 
action or at rest, you see always the calm, serious, 
self-controlled, independent man. 

Of the early history of Washington we know but lit- 
tle ; but the fruits of his maturity afford some evidence of 
the nature of his early culture. Probably the source of his 
character was deep rejection. This indeed, is the source 
of all true and w^orthy character. Real greatness is the 
result of self-knowdedge ; a just estimate of our powers, 
of the manner and direction in which they should be ex- 
erted ; and such can only come from deep thought, in- 
tense self- scrutiny. Washington won his first victory 
'over himself. He ruled his spirit ; he subdued and 
brought under habitual control his strong feehngs ; so 
that the ardent youth became an even-tempered man. 
This victory, which gave him full possession of himself, 
added to that accuracy of thought, produced perhaps by 
his early attention to mathematics, laid the foundation of 
his character. A motive only was wanting to bring him 
into action. That motive was furnished by holy hatred of 
tyranny and rational love for his native land. Thus 
prepared, thus urged forward, he went forth. He met 
dangers and surmounted them. He met difficulties and 
solved them. He knew that 

^Rightly to be great 



Is, not to stir without great argument;' 

therefore the storm of passion could not move his firmness- 



Party strife could neither shake liis purpose, nor warp his 
perception and love of the truth. He had built up his soul 
to endure the tempests of the voyage of life ; he weath- 
ered every gale, and reached the shores of eternity, un- 
harmed and richly laden with tried virtues and merited 
honors. Such was the character of Washington, with 
the absence of but one feature, its crowning excellence, 
its superior beauty, without which there would not be 
completeness ; he bowed down his soul beneath the 
sanctifying power of religion ; thus bearing glorious tes- 
timony to the eternal union of true greatness and true 
goodness. Throughout his life, there is a constant recog- 
nition of the over-ruling providence of God. On almost 
every public occasion, he lifted the voice of supplication. 
His attention upon public worship, was never unneces- 
sarily omitted. His private character was without re- 
proach ; and he was not afraid to die. These things 
prove him to have been a religious man and a Christian. 
If they do not, listen to the prayer in his last communi- 
cation to the Chief Magistrates of the States, at the close 
of the war. " I now make it my earnest prayer, that 
" God would have you, and the State over which you 
"preside, in his holy protection ; that he would incline 
" the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subor- 
*' dination and obedience to government ; to entertain a 
" brotherly affection for one another, for their fellow-cit- 
"izens of the United States at large ; and particularly for 
"their brethren who have served in the field. And, fi- 
" nally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dis- 
"pose us all to do justice, to love mercy, to demean our- 
' selves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of 

2 



10 

"mind, which were the characteristics of the divine Au- 
"thor of our religion; without an humble imitation of 
" whose example, in these things, we can never hope to 
" be a happy nation." Such was the wise and solemn 
petition of that great man, whose motives were above 
suspicion, whose judgments were never rash, and who, 
by devoting himself to the service of his country, and by 
constantly reverencing the laws of God, won from the 
tyrant's grasp, this fair land to be the birth-place of lib- 
erty, and gained for himself the filial love and esteem of 
a nation of fi^eemen. 

I have thus spoken briefly of Washington. But 
directly to commemorate him is not the sole purpose, for 
which we hallow this day. Did we come hither only to 
exult and rejoice, we should be wanting in the serious- 
ness and thoughtfulness of true republicans : For, while 
dwelling upon our fathers' virtues, it becomes us to re- 
member, that we stand in their places, and inherit their 
duties. And, as we think of the great Patriot, we must 
be mindful, that he was in vain a patriot, if we are not like 
him. Therefore, on this occasion, there should be uttered, 
in harmony with the voice of joy, a voice of solemn in- 
struction ; and thoughts of duty should mingle with and 
chasten our feelings of gratitude and pride. The day 
would pass in profidess amusement, did we hear no words 
of counsel addressed to us as citizens of these Unit- 
ed States. I shall make no apology, therefore, for at- 
tempting a short discussion of a virtue, which was so 
bright and strong in the character of Washington ; I 
mean Patriotism. I select this topic, because it be- 
longs to the associations of the day, and because it is 



II 

of great practical importance. Our whole hope, as a 
nation, depends upon the truth and extensiveness of our 
view of the duty we owe to our country. Until the pub- 
lic mind is pervaded and sanctified, by a spirit of pure 
and enlightened patriotism ; until our citizens, as a body, 
regard their poUdcal rights and privileges, as solemn and 
responsible trusts, the faith of the disciples of republi- 
canism in the stability of our institutions is vain. That 
such a spirit and such a regard is so prevalent and so 
deeply felt, as to warrant an idea of perfect safety to the 
nation, will not be asserted by observing and thoughtful 
men. The crowd, on our days of rejoicing, shout for lib- 
erty. Orators please the ears of the people, with glow- 
ing descripdons of our glory and prosperity. But this is 
no sign that we rightly understand and value our civil 
privileges ; or that strict and elevated views of our politi- 
cal dudes, are a part of our national character. Words 
and professions are but empty sounds, unless accompa- 
nied by vigorous acdon. If bargain, intrigue or corrup- 
tion are, to any great extent, in the land, then a saving 
patriotism is not there. Demagogues can only rise, in 
republics, by the will ot the people ; when demagogues 
therefore, do rise, it is a sign that the people are want- 
ing, either in the knowledge or practice of their duty. 
Applying these remarks to our own history, all must see 
that our virtue and integrity as citizens are not as strong 
and active as they ought to be ; that our conduct does 
not equal our professions ; that there is a wide difference 
between our doctrines and our practice ; and that we 
often need to be addressed in the strong language of 
warning and instruction. 



12 

I would say, then, at tliis time, that true love af 
country is not a mere sentiment of the heart, but a calm, 
I'ational, deep-rooted principle of the soul, directed by an 
enlightened conscience, and guarded by an unfailing rev- 
erence for what is right. The mere feeling of attach- 
ment to the land of our birth is not patriotism. That sen- 
sibility, which calls forth tears at the sweet sound of the 
music of our native hills, is not patriotism. They are 
germs, from whence it springs, but not the thing itself. 
Such natural affections, such impulses, are the materi- 
al, out of which the will and the understanding are to 
make virtues, but they are not virtues in themselves. 
When the love of our native land, so analogous to the in- 
stinctive love of the child for its parent, is cultivat- 
ed and expanded, beneath the care of reason and relig- 
ion, then, but not till then, it becomes patriotism. For 
patriotism, I repeat, is a deep and settled, a purified and 
enlightened principle of the soul. It belongs to man, as a 
part of his spiritual developement. It is something to 
which he has educated himself. It is a manifestation of the 
second great commandment of Christianity, confined to a 
smaller sphere, for the sake of more vigorous action. The 
world is cut up into families, communities and nations, 
and affection for our native land, and our fellow citizens, 
feelings dependant upon local associations, belong to our 
nature, only that the principle of benevolence, by being 
confined within narrower limits, may act with greater 
intensity and strength. True patriotism, then, is a form 
of philanthropy; an exhibition of love to nraiu It is 
the product of an instructed mind, and a pure heart. It 
is th(^ devoted servant of virtue, and seeks, forever, the 



common and the highest good. It embraces the nation: 
with fervent regard, and serves it with unfakering devo- 
tion. It flings itseh' manfully into the contest, between 
liberty and despotism ; and while it beats back the usurpa- 
tion of the latter, it preserves the former from the pol- 
luting touch of false-hearted licentiousness. In fine, it is 
a high-souled virtue, born of wisdom; directed by love, 
and bowed, in reverent obedience to the laws of God. 
This is patriotism ; this that love of country, which acts 
with vigor, and always in a righteous cause. Upon its 
existence, depends the welfare of mankind. As it grows- 
and strengthens, so will the nadons advance, and the 
spirit of man brighten into a likeness of divinity. Its 
efforts shall build up the waste places of the earth, make 
the desert to blossom as the rose, and the wilderness to 
be like Eden. 

But this general description of Patriotism, is not 
enough : we must consider its operations more in detail. 
Genuine love of country, assumes as its fundamental 
principle, that a constant regard, for right, truth, and* 
justice, is as much required in the nation, as in individu- 
als ; and that a man is as much bound to recognise the 
moral law, in all his acts as a member of the comnumity, 
as in the more private relations of life. The hoary 
falsehood, that the public, or the agents of the public, 
may be more lax in virtue than an individual man, is 
banished with contempt from its presence. It knows no 
reason, why government may break solemn treaties, when 
the laws of that government })unish, severely, the private 
citizen who breaks a private contract. It cannot see by 
what code of morals, violation of pubhc faidi is expedi 



14 

ency, and violation of the word of an individual, false- 
hood. It does not understand where savage civilization, 
gets the right, to nullify the independence of civilized 
savages. It cannot tell, why men are bound to be less 
candid and honest in the hall of Representatives, in the 
chamber of the Senate, in the chair of State ; than on the 
exchange, in the house of merchandise, or by their own 
fire sides. It knows but one law of right, and that it firmly 
believes is obligatory every where ; in the heart of the 
humblest individual, at the councils of nations, in the 
courts of heaven. This, I know, is a doctrme, at which 
politicians have sneered. They have called it the ravings 
of v/ell meaning enthusiasm ; a theory belonging to Uto- 
pia; but too shadowy, too refined, for practical use in 
the business of legislation, and not strong enough for 
the turbulent passions of men. This is the sophistry 
with which statesmen have but too often endeavored to 
justify crafty policy, intrigue, and corruption. But we 
hope, we believe, the day when such speciousness 
blinded the eyes of common sense, is fast passing away. 
We trust, that, urged on, by all the means in operation 
for its elevation and improvement, the public mind 
is coming up to the truth, that the law of God is as binding 
upon nations as upon individuals. We trust, that, as a 
people, we are beginning to believe with Washington, 
< that there exists in the economy and course of nature, 
an indissoluble union between the genuine maxims of an 
honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of 
public prosperity and felicity ; and that the propitious 
smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that 
disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which 



15 

heaven itself has ordained.' We trust, that, as a people, 
we are beginning to believe this ; we thus trust, because 
the philosophy of the doctrine is so simple, that a child 
may understand it. It rests upon this obvious fact, — that 
the collecting together of things of the same kind, though 
it may increase their bulk, does not alter their character ; 
that human nature bound up into a mighty nation, is the 
same as when existing separately in individuals, under the 
same laws, and affected by like influences ; therefore, if 
honesty be the best pohcy, for one man, as a man, it 
must be so, for twelve millions of men, as a great repubhc. 
This is the simple logic, — leading straight forward to a 
principle, in harmony with the whole economy of the uni- 
verse. True patriotism, acknowledges this principle, and 
carries it into practice. But how ? By finding out the 
source of power, and by endeavoring to purify that source. 
The source of power, at the present time, is dif- 
ferent, in different nations; therefore, the conduct of 
true patriotism, will likewise be different. In some 
cases, the authority of the king or emperor, is too firm 
to be easily shaken. This is the state of Russia. 
There, then, the lover of his country, should strive to 
influence the mind of the despot, so that if men must be 
slaves, and have a master, they may be slaves well 
treated, and have a merciful master, till the day of deliv- 
erance comes. In other instances, the people may have 
strength and intelligence enough, to push ignorant and 
imbecile tyranny from the throne. This, we hope, is 
the state of France. There, then, let the patriot strive 
to guide and regulate the movements of the multitude, 
in an honest and safe way ; let hun go forth, and amid 



16 

^hc storms of rcvolulion, help lay the Ibimdalion of anew 
government, in truth and justice. In England, again, 
power is divided, and with tolerable equality; there 
civil war, for the rights of the people, must be long, 
bloody, and of doubtful issue. There, then, it is the part 
of patriotism, to reason and negotiate ; to point out how 
the clashing interests may be reconciled, to convince 
aristocracy of wealth, tide, and privilege, that it is best 
to be an aristocracy of talent and virtue, and to persuade 
the people to keep quiet, and let their cause be fairly 
fought by arguments in both houses of Parliament, and 
by affection and love of justice in the bosom of the king. 
Thus it appears, that, as the source of power is vari- 
ous, so, also, must the efforts of patriotism be various. 
But how shall it act here, in our republic. Here the 
whole force of real authority, lies in public opinion ; thai 
is, in the opinion of the greater number. Laws, with us, 
are instruments of the majority, and do not emanate from 
a power independent of the people. The constitution is 
a collection of resolutions, by which the public chooses 
to be regulated, and the various branches of government, 
arc the means by which its resolutions and intentions are 
carried into effect. Our executive and legislature, are 
but indications of the will of the people ; and their calm 
and sober, quick or feeble movement, like the pulse in 
the human frame, inform us of the health of the body 
politic. It is not then to rulers or government, that true 
patriotism, will, here, directly address its efforts ; but it 
■will rather bend its whole energies to reform, or preserve 
uncorrupted, public opinion. This it can do, by enlight- 
ening the minds, (quickening the consciences, and making 



17 

pure the hearts ot the citizens ; and to do this, is to be 
a true patriot. Men mistake, ^^hen they suppose, that 
the destiny of the nation is in the hands of public officers. 
Our prosperity depends upon those, who act upon the 
minds, and mould the characters of men. Whoever 
promotes general intelligence, and general virtue, be his 
sphere more or less hmited, is a benefactor to his coun- 
try. Whoever seizes witli a strong grasp, upon great 
truths, and brings them down, and impresses them deep 
upon the souls of men ; whoever trains up the reason, 
regulates the judgment, increases the knowledge of his 
brethren ; whoever, in fine, awakens mental power, and 
moral strength, in others, he is the true patriot, the man 
of influence. Lord Brougham, has said, ' the school- 
master is abroad': we say, that schoolmaster is the great 
and mighty sovereign, who is to hold sway over the 
human race. Every thing that goes to move mind, goes 
to move the nations. Patriotism, then, in its highest and 
best sense, is to promote the intelligence, and preserve 
the morals of the people. The parent, who, by example 
and precept, gives to the State, educated and virtuous 
sons, is a patriot. The inhabitant of the smallest town, 
who pours out his wealth, and exerts his influence to 
assist the spiritual well being of his fellow cidzens, is a 
patriot. The minister of the Gospel, who unfolds 
the clear, simple, and elevating truths of the refig- 
ion of Christ, and convinces men that 'godliness hath 
promise of the life that now is and of that which is 
to come,' is a patriot. The statesman, who, too great to 
cater for popularity, seeks with a large mind, the true 
interests of the people, holding it honor enough for mortal 

3 



18 

man, to be allowed to hclj) onward the progress of his 
race, is a patriot. Every strong and virtuous writer, 
every eloquent and sound hearted speaker ; in a word, 
every man of sense and of principle, who looks upon 
human nature and desires its improvement, as a philoso- 
pher and a christian, is a patriot ; and as such men grow 
numerous, so will our nadon prosper. When their voice 
is stronger, then truth shall be proclaimed ; when they 
awake from their apathy, put on their armor, and go forth 
to battle, with crafty politicians, bold disorganizers, the 
desperate foes of good order and pure government, they 
shall prevail, for they unfurl their banner, in a cause which 
the Almighty loves, and, if need be, ' the stars in their 
courses' shall fight for them. Let but good men, calm, 
rational, intelligent men, band together, exert themselves 
as one man, and the day will come, and come soon, when 
the everlasdng laws of God, shall be felt and obeyed by 
the nations ; the day will come when every cidzen shall 
perform his public duties, as if he realized his responsi- 
bility, as if he knew and felt that he must give an account 
at the bar of God, for the discharge of every official act. 
That this period, this golden age in polidcs, may come, 
every true patriot should strive without fainting, to spread 
knowledge and virtue among the people. He should put 
forth his whole strength to induce them to reverence 
what is right. He should tell them, that our very exist- 
ence as a nadon, depends upon our unfailing obedience 
to the moral law. He should say to them, that the great 
doctrine, ' righteousness alone exalteth a nation,' is at 
once the voice of a generous heart, the deduction of right 
reason, the clear tone of an enlightened conscience, the 



19 

sublime declaration of the word of God ; that it should 
be deeply engraven on every soul that hveth, should be 
present to every voter as he goes to the ballot box, be 
pointed out as a maxim to every public officer, written 
with letters of light on the halls of Congress, and uttered 
with a voice of thunder in the ears of every President of 
these United States. When this is done, when this 
truth becomes the great moving principle of our nation, 
then shall we rise to a degree of glory, earth never 
before hath witnessed. 

The first and greatest principle of true patriotism, is,then, 
the promulgation of virtue and intelligence. In carrying 
this principle out in practice, the attention will be directed 
to the correction of many abuses, inconsistent with it ; 
and to the advancement of many things, more or less 
favorable to its success. It will be seen, at once, that it 
holds no fellowship, with violent party spirit, or sectional 
prejudices ; that it is opposed to the passion for wealth, 
and the luxuriousness consequent upon its possession. 
He who obeys it, must rise above geographical limits, 
and, in general, regard his fellow citizens, not as inhabit- 
ants of certain districts, but as men. He must be fully 
persuaded, that, to a nation, as well as to an individual, 
great riches is a very equivocal blessing ; not always 
favorable to virtue. Besides, this, he must ever be 
mindful, that it is not this generation, nor the next, who 
are to reap all the fruits of the operation of his patriotism ; 
but distant posterity. In every enterprise, then, the 
question should be, as far as mortal may determine, what 
will be the ultimate consequences of this course of action? 
How will my ellbrts ullect the condition of remote ages : 



20 

1, and my cotemporaries, will soon pass away ; but mil- 
lions, yet unborn, are to be benefitted or injured, by what 
Ave are now doing. These are solemn interrogatories, 
and they bring home, the feeling of responsibility, to the 
hearts of good men ; and their solemnity is increased, 
when we go forth, and mark the condition of the land ; 
when we see how blind are many of the citizens of this 
great republic, to the future consequences of their deeds. 
To gain a present end, to elevate a favorite candidate to 
the chair of State, the press is prostituted, the passions of 
the people inflamed, and the future character of the 
nation is sacrificed to the Moloch of ambiUon. This is a 
sad thought ; but it is true. The hall of legislation, has 
almost ceased, to be the collected wisdom of our land, 
sitting in wise deliberation, in calm discussion, upon our 
mighty interests, as a growing country, full of strength 
and power, which must be used to the promotion of true 
greatness, or abused to minister to the wickedness of a 
degraded people. On the contrary, the Capitol is be- 
coming an arena for the strife of political gladiators. 
Unless this is ended, unless the people put out the spread- 
ing corruption, the United States will be like other lands, 
where the necks of the citizens are but stepping-stones, 
by which conquerors and tyrants ascend their bloody 
throne. This is not said for effect ; but because it is be- 
lieved to be a truth, which we must hear often, in order 
to be awake to duty. If we sleep, we shall be bound 
and enslaved. Constant vigilance, alone, is constant se- 
cinity. When the poisoning insects first light u{)on the 
slumbering giani, if he be aroused at once, he may crush 
them, with his hand; but if thov remain long, and begin 



21 

their corruplion, pain, perhaps, will only awaken him to 
a sense of his powerless and degraded condition. Let 
every man, then, among us, be he high or humble, as he 
has opportunity, strive to keep pure our republic. Let 
no one forget that his words and conduct, are a part of 
of the national character. Let him, day by day, seek to 
increase the power of christian principles, over his own 
mind, and the minds of others. Let him feel that ' liberty 
is a trust,' and that he is answerable to God, for his 
fidelity to it. When every citizen feels this, then, as a 
nation, we shall be moving onward to great glory. 

We were a chosen people. A leader was raised up 
to us, that man whose birth we this day celebrate ; he 
led us through the perils of the revolution, he supported 
and fixed the constitution in the day of its feebleness. 
Shall we not be faithful to our privilege. Our country is 
a beacon to the struggling nations of Europe. Amid the 
storm and the tempest, they look to us. Shall not the 
light burn clear. Shall not every foul corruption, that 
would dim its beams, be kept far away. If our country 
is to be a leader, oh! let her be one of wisdom and oi 
power. If we are the pioneers, let us hew the way 
fairly, lay down the road smoothly, and make a great 
highway for the nations of the earth to march onward tO! 
freedom and to glory. Then, when another century 
shall have rolled av/ay, it may be, that freemen from 
beyond the Rocky Mountains, representatives from the 
mighty republics of regenerated Europe, may meet be- 
neath the star spangled banner, to smile at those days 
when ' kings reigned, and princes decreed justice'; to 
hold forth our Declaration of Independence as the 'Magna 



22 

Charta' of Christendom, and to pronomice with enlight- 
ened and sober reverence, the nanie of George 

WASHIXGTOy. 



Gentlemen of the Washington Light Infantry Company, 

It is by your request, that I have spoken at this time. 
I have endeavored to utter words of truth and soberness; 
to speak with earnestness and solemnity, because, I 
thought, the times, the occasion, and my o^mi sense 
of responsibihty, demanded it of me. You will allow- 
me, in conclusion, to say, to you, and to the gendemen 
of the Artillery, who unite with you in this celebra- 
tion, that 3^ou all belong to that class, to whom om- 
country looks for support and prosperity. You ai-e 
young men, and have, therefore, much to do, as citizens 
of these United States. God Almighty, grant, that }-ou 
may be faithful, and that you may, as individuals, have 
that intelligence, that love of truth and goodness, that 
strength of religious principle, wliich shall make you, 
like Washixgto^^, useful men on earth, heu's of endless 
happmess in Heaven. 



ORATION 



' I^ELIVFRED AT THE R£QUE5T OF THE 



WASHINGTON LIGHT INFANTRY COMPANY, 



IN NEWBURYPORT, 



FEB. 22, 1832: 



AT THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 



BIRTH-DAY OF WASHINGTON 



BY THOMAS B. FOX 



NEWBURYPORT : 

!|3ubli3|jfU fa» C. 18. Sf S. H. e®|iftf . 



1832. 



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